Waiting on Wednesday: Hope at Dawn

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Release date: June 24, 2014

In a Time of War, Love is the Inspiration.

With her brothers away fighting the Great War overseas, Livy Campbell desperately wants to help her family. Her chance comes when she meets a handsome stranger who lands her a job as a teacher in a place far from her parents' farm. But the war casts a long shadow over the German-American town that Livy now calls home—and the darkness will test everything she thought she knew about family and love . . .

More than anything, Friedrick Wagner wants to be part of his adopted country's struggle for peace. But when the bitter animosity between Germans and Americans soon turns citizens against newcomers, friend against friend, he will do whatever it takes to protect Livy from the hysteria that grips their town. As tragedy—and dark secrets from the past—threaten their future, Friedrick and Livy have one chance to stand up for what's right . . . and one chance to fight for their love.

  Top Ten Tuesday: You Like X tv show/movie/comic etc. (basically any sort of other entertainment)

  brought to you by the broke and the bookish

 Jeni's Picks:

1. If you like The Bachelor you should readThe Selection by Kiera Cass: They are basically the same thing right. Just the bachelor happens to be a prince in the book. I don't watch the TV show but I enjoyed reading The Selection. 

2.If you like The Lord of the Flies (book/movie) you should readThe Maze Runner by James Dashner: I Loved the book The LOrd of the Flies when I was a kid. The movie was alright. The Maze runner was an amazing book and reminded me of the Lord of the Flies. They are both dystopians books with boys that try to govern themselves. 

3.If you like Once upon a time (TV) you should read Enchanted by Althea Kontiss: I love fairy tales. The TV show is fun to watch and is a collaboration of a bunch of different fairy tales. The book Enchanted is also about different fairy tales. It was a little confusing at times but still and enjoyable read.

4. If you like Murder She Wrote (TV) you should read Lemon Tart by Josi Kilpack: Murder She Wrote is an older TV show about an older woman that is a mystery writer/detective. Lemon Tart is a book about a widowed woman that enjoys cooking and becomes an amateur detective. 

5. If you liked Medium (TV) you should read Loose Ends (A Mary O'Reilly Paranormal mystery) by Terri Ried: Medium is one of my all time favorite TV shows although I try to forget the last episode. It was awful. Loose ends is about a women that has a near death experience that leaves her with the gift of being able to communicate with ghosts. I really enjoyed the first 6 books in the series but lost interest after that. 

Emily's Picks:

1. If you watch the show  Grimm, I think you would enjoy the book Soulless by Gail Carriger.  It's lighter in humor, but it still has vampires, werewolves, and mystery.

2. If you like darker stuff, and you love the show Supernatural, I would recommend Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendra Blake.

3. While you Were Sleeping is a favorite movie of mine, so if you enjoy romance, I would recommend Sleeping Tiger by Rosamunde Pilcher.

4. House is one of those shows I loved when I first started watching, and then stopped. But if you were a fan, you should try Harvest by Tess Gerritsen

5. I love watching food documentaries, call me crazy.  I love learning about the food I eat, and learning about what I put in my body.  So, if you ever watched Food Inc, or Fork over Knives, or Supersize Me, I would recommend reading In Defense of Food or The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan.  Both have by far, been the best written books on our food system I have read. 

Stacking the Shelves #7

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks! Hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

I attended the LDS Storymaker book signing today. It was awesome, so many authors were there. 

The Stranger She Married by Donna Hatch

Queen in Exile by Donna Hatch

The Guise of a Gentleman by Donna Hatch

The Perfect Secret by Donna Hatch

Transparent by Natalie Whipple

House of Ivey and Sorrow by Natalie Whipple

The Distance Between Us by Kasie West

Longing for Home: Hope Springs by Sarah M. Eden

Emerald Ring by Dorine White

Ruby Pendant by Dorine White

Sky Jumpers by Peggy Eddleman

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

Mira Mirror by Mette Ivie  Harrison

My Fair Godmother by Janette Ralison

 Top Ten Tuesday: Characters Who X (you fill in the blank -- examples: piss me off, are the popular kids, are bookish, would be my bff, that stole my heart, etc.

   brought to you by the broke and the bookish

Jeni's Picks:

Characters that made me laugh

1. Lula from the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich: This character had me laughing out loud so many times. I think my husband thought I was a little crazy at times. I laughed so hard I would cry. 

2. Sage from The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen: This isn't really a comedy but Sage is so sarcastic I loved it. Best book to read out loud. 

Characters I wish were my BFF

3. Carlotta Wren from the Body Movers series by Stephanie Bond: I loved this series and Carlotta would be an awesome BFF. 

Characters that stole my heart and made me cry

4. Will Traynor from Me Before You by JoJo Moyes:  One of my best reads last year. I guessed the ending and the whole time I was reading I kept wishing it would end different. I am a nurse and have taken care of quads.  I get his decision but it was still hard to read. 

5. Katelyn Richards from Wishing For Someday Soon by Tiffany King:  Reading this book broke my heart. I knew  a girl in high school  that had an abusive mother. It was crazy to think that everybody doesn't have a mom like mine. 

6. Sang Ly from The Rent Collector by Camron Wright: Loved this book.  Even though they lived in the dumps Sang Ly made the best of it.  She loved her husband and son. She was a great neighbor helping others out.  It made me appreciate everything I have so much more. Beautiful writing by Camron Wright. 

Emily's Picks
I picked Characters I had emotional responses too. In no patircular order:

1. Bella Swan, frustration.. She drove me up the wall. Mainly in the second book.  I wanted to shake her the entire book. 

2. Flora Waring from Under Gemini by Rosamunde Pilcher for a light laugh.  There is scene in this book that made me laugh out loud.  Plus, I'm a twin, and it was interesting to read about two people so different but who were so much a like.  And it has romance, which I love, Ms. Pilcher is great at sweet romances. 

3. Luthe from the Hero and the Crown. One, because he is a tragic love story in the best way, and two he is interesting, and three it's a good love triangle, it makes sense. And I fell in love a little while reading about him. So, props for a first book crush. 

4. Myfanwy Thomas from the Rook. for being the worst character ever written. In fact that whole book should be left on the shelf. That whole book was on contradiction after another. Could not stand it. if you can't tell. 

5. Mr. Fitzwillam Darcy. For the being the best written romantic lead in the history of romance. Of course I am right.  Although, the movie with Collin Firth helps this immensely. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Bookish Things (That aren't books) that I'd Like to Own

   brought to you by the broke and the bookish

Jeni's Picks: 

1. All. The. Feels. tshirt from Gayle Forman. I went to her book launch for Just One Year and she had the tshirt on. It looked super cute. I should just go buy one. They aren't that expensive. 

2. Music note bookends. I have 3 bookshelves in my piano room and I think these would look awesome in there or maybe some Owl ones. 

3. Pride and Prejudice Tote: I saw one when I was in England and wish I would've just bought it. Then when I go to book sales I'll have a fun tote to bring instead of the garbage bags I usually take. 

4. Library cards: I lend books out to a lot of people and I have a little black book I keep but it would be fun to have my own library system so people realize they have my book and they can bring it back. 

5. Box of Bookmarks: I loose them all the time. I need a box that is full of them so if I need one I can just go grab one out of the box. 

Emily's Picks

1. Book Shelves.  I only have one set, and that as we all know, isn't nearly enough.

2. A huge book tote, and by huge, I'm talking it would have to fit at least 20 books, for my trips to the library, because i tend to check out more than my little arms can carry.

3.  A better memory. I have read some incredible books in my time, when I was a teenager, I was at the library all the time, but I can't remember titles or authors to save my life. For instance, I read this great fantasy book, where this girl, whenever she cried, jewels would fall from her eyes, and she is rescued by a guy, but a evil magician traps her, and the knight has to come save her.  It was a great book, at least when I was 15, can't remember the title or author.

4. A kindle with more giga bites or whatever it's called so I can download more books.

5. I would love a space in my house where I could claim it is as my reading spot. I love the idea of a home library.  One day, maybe I will have one. Currently, it's just in my head. Ignoring the chaos, my children. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Most Unique Books I've Read 

                                            brought to you by the broke and the bookish

Jeni's Picks 

1. The Host by Stephenie Meyer: This was the first book I had ever read that had Aliens. I find this one of those books that either people love or hate. It took me awhile to get into but I ended up really liking. I actually liked it better than her Twilight books. 

2. The Maze Runner by James Dashner: I actually met the author before I read his books. I took my niece to a local author book signing at a Barnes and Noble by our house and she convinced me to read his Maze Runners series. My niece was so embarrassing because when we met him she told him she hated his 13th Reality series but than she gushed about how much she loved his Maze Runner book. He was so sweet about it and said he was glad she at least liked one of his books.  I have to say the Grievers creeped me out. I can't wait for the movie to come out. It looks awesome. 

3. The White Cat by Holly Black: I really liked the first book in this series. It was such an interesting concept. It would've been great if the next books in the series would've been as good. 

4. Flecks of Gold by Alicia Buck: This is a book I picked up at the same author event I met James Dashner at.  It was unique and surprisingly good. I hope one day the author comes out with a new book. 

5. Incarceron by Catherine Fisher: This book was so weird. I had the hardest time wanting to finish it. Seriously weirdest book I've ever read.

Emily's Picks

1. Elantris by Brandon Sanderson. This book was strange, I wasn't a huge fan, but it fits the bill for a unique read. 

2. Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay. This was an interesting book.  I wasn't sure if I was going to like it.  And I was surprised that I did.  It's about Romeo and Juliet, and how they become immortal, because of Romeo traded their love for everlasting life, only there is a twist. It could have been a little more entertaining, but it was a unique twist on the story we grew up knowing.

3. Of Poseidon by Anna Banks.  I like fairy tale re-tellings, I don't normally like mermaid tales, however.  this one, though, hooked me line and sinker. 

4. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. If you haven't read this book, you should.

5. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare.  You have to give it to Ms. Clare, she really does know how to write a novel.  I loved the first four books in this series.  I however, have chosen not to continue.  I was happy how the fourth book ended, I can'r imagine how she would continue the story, and seven books?  Come on. 

Top Ten Tuesday: "Gateway" Books/Authors In My Reading Journey 

(so your list could be a mix of a books that got you into reading, an author that got you into reading a genre you never thought you'd read, a book that brought you BACK into read)

brought to you by the broke and the bookish

Jeni's Picks:

1. Judy Blume got me addicted to reading to when I was young.. I loved fudge. My kids aren't fans which makes me sad but I will always remember these books

2. Mary Higgins Clark: My grandma introduced me to her writing when I was 14. I read everything she wrote. I'm not so much a fan now because she follows a pattern and it makes the books too predicable now but when I was 14-18 they were so much fun. 

3. Stephenie Meyer: I was an avid reader until I had kids. So I took a 6 year hiatus from reading. I just never had the time and if I did read it was about how to raise my kids. I remember my son was 2 and my husband and I went on a trip. My friend loaned me  her 1st book and I finished it on the plane. I had my husband take me to a bookstore to buy the rest. The movies and hype over these books has ruined them for me now. But I just remember being so excited to read again. 

4. Lisa Mangum: I was always a mystery/lawyer topic book reader when I was a teenager and Lisa Mangum introduced me to time travel novels. I loved her Hourglass door series. Ruby Red is my favorite time travel series to date but I thank Lisa Mangum for getting me to read outside my normal genre. 

5. Rick Riordan/ Brandon Mull: I read a little bit of everything now but these two authors got me to read middlegrade age books and actually love them. Now I can read these series with my kids and I appreciate the fact that I'm not bored. Jennifer Neilsen is another great middle grade age book author. 

Emily's Picks

1. L.M. Montgomery, Emily Of New Moon.  I read this before any of her Anne Of Greene Gables.  And I must say, I loved it better for it.  It was my first book I ever owned.  It still sits on my shelf. This was the first book that made me want to delve deeper into reading.

2. Robin Mckinley .  She was the first fantasy author I read.  And I wanted more. I still curl up and read The Blue Sword and The Hero and the Crown.

3. Barbara Michaels introduced me to the modern gothic story. And she gave me chills. And taught to me sleep with the lights on. 

4. Victoria Holt I haven't read this type of novel in a long time..romance with a gothic twist. But every once in a while, I will read her or another author like her again.  They are fun, and they take themselves very seriously, which makes the fluff in them all the more entertaining really.

5. Patricia Briggs I never considered myself a werewolf or vampire girl, but then I found Ms. Briggs.  And she  gave me excitment, romance, lor, and a female character who could take care of herself.  Love it, and I enjoy any book like it.